Philip K Dick's Philosophical Novels | A 10 Week Online Class In The Study With Sadler Academy

Why It Matters

Understanding Dick’s exploration of reality, identity, and morality equips executives and creators with frameworks for navigating ethical challenges in technology‑driven industries.

Key Takeaways

• 10‑week online class explores Philip K. Dick’s philosophical sci‑fi.
• Nine novels plus short stories read, discussed, and contextualized.
• Live 90‑minute sessions recorded; lifetime access and discussion forums.
• Curriculum links Dick’s themes—reality, identity, evil—to his exegesis.
• Resources include Library of America editions, handouts, and interview excerpts.

Summary

The Study with Sadler Academy is launching a 10‑week, online course titled “Philip K. Dick’s Philosophical Novels.” Instructor Greg Sadler frames the celebrated science‑fiction author as a conduit for deep philosophical inquiry, promising a structured dive into nine of Dick’s novels and selected short stories.

Each week features a 90‑minute live session, recorded for lifetime access, supplemented by discussion forums, targeted prompts, and handouts that map characters and themes. The syllabus begins with an overview of Dick’s inter‑novel connections using his own exegesis, then moves through milestones such as *Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?*, *The Man in the High Castle*, and *A Scanner Darkly*, interspersed with relevant interviews and essays.

Sadler highlights primary sources like the Vertex interview, where Dick discusses the relationship between writing and reality, and the Library of America editions that anchor the readings. He also points to peripheral works—e.g., “The Little Black Box” and “The Days of Perky Pat”—to illustrate recurring motifs of religion, identity, and the nature of evil.

For professionals seeking to sharpen critical thinking, the course offers a rare blend of literary analysis and philosophical rigor, while also tapping into the growing market for niche, lifelong‑learning experiences. Participants gain not only a deeper appreciation of Dick’s influence on contemporary media but also transferable skills in interpreting complex narratives and ethical dilemmas.

Original Description

Enroll in the 10 week Philip K Dick's Philosophical Novels course (starting May 30) - https://reasonio.teachable.com/p/pk-dicks-philosophical-novels

I'm offering an 10-week online class in which we will work through nine of Philip K Dick's most important and influential philosophical novels. It is hosted in the Study With Sadler Academy, starting Saturday, March 7, running to April 25. We will meet weekly for online 90-minute sessions on Saturdays from 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Central Time.

The novels we will be discussing are Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?, A Maze Of Death, Ubik, The Three Stigmata Of Palmer Eldritch, The Man In The High Castle, Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said, A Scanner Darkly, Valis, The Divine Invasion

During each class session, we will discuss relevant passages from the novels being discussed, examine the ideas and even arguments brought forward in the dialogue, discuss problems, and address questions. Each session will be structured to include plenty of time for Q&A and dialogue. We will also be looking at a few selected shorter works by Dick that provide important context for these novels.

Students enrolled in the class gain access to downloadable PDF handouts (all of which are being newly developed just for this class). Class sessions will be videorecorded, and available for students enrolled in the class

Here is the course of study:

Saturday, May 30, 9:00-10:30 Central Time - Session 1: Introduction: The Dick Schtick(s). Selected addresses and interviews

Saturday, June 6, 9:00-10:30 Central Time - Session 2: Humans And Androids, A New Religion, and Empathy: Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep

Saturday, June 13, 9:00-10:30 Central Time - Session 3: Virtual and Real Realities, Another New Religion, and Death Instinct: A Maze Of Death

Saturday, June 20, 9:00-10:30 Central Time - Session 4: Virtual Reality Redux, Identifying The Monster, and the Psi Business: Ubik

Saturday, June 27, 9:00-10:30 Central Time - Session 5: Encountering Absolute Evil, Assimilation and Identity, and Unstable Reality: The Three Stigmata Of Palmer Eldritch

Saturday, July 4, 9:00-10:30 Central Time - Session 6: Alternate Timelines, The Oracle, Moral and Immoral Choices: The Man In The High Castle

Saturday, July 11, 9:00-10:30 Central Time - Session 7: Alternate Timelines Again, Police States, and Reality-Bending Drugs: Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said

Saturday, July 18, 9:00-10:30 Central Time - Session 8: Undercover Identity, The Drug Culture, and Psychic Breakdown: A Scanner Darkly

Saturday, July 25, 9:00-10:30 Central Time - Session 9: The Black Iron Prison, Gnosticism, and Theophany: Valis

Saturday, August 1, 9:00-10:30 Central Time - Session 10: Gnosticism Redux, Divine Sophia, and Salvation: The Divine Invasion

#philosophy #philipkdick #onlineclass #sciencefiction #literature #speculativefiction #education #ethics #personaldevelopment #learning